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Eagle Scout awarded

Austin Parker honored as he recovers from accident

Sentinel photos by Tabitha Goodling Austin Parker smiles during his Eagle Scout ceremony as he poses with his parents, John and Brenda Hunter, and sister, Jasmine.

MCALISTERVILLE — Some honors take time.

In August 2017, East Juniata High School senior Austin Parker had finished the work for his Eagle Scout project.

He turned 18-years-old the beginning of September of that year and he was ready to go through the process of being interviewed and other steps to earn his Eagle Scout badge, which would also include a ceremony.

On Sept. 29, Parker was riding his bike to school, like he had done every morning, when he was struck by a vehicle. The accident landed him in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

He experienced a major stroke along with his traumatic brain injury from the impact of the accident. Months of recovery and therapy have taken place ever since that day and many things have been put on hold, including the completion of his Eagle Scout award.

His mom, Brenda Hunter, has been by his side throughout this time and she has assisted him in completing the process.

A ceremony was held April 20 at Bunkertown Church of the Brethren honoring Parker’s achievements. He had served with Troop 65 McAlisterville since his family moved to the area in 2010. Parker had earned 26 merit badges. He also served as a senior patrol leader, troop guide and quartermaster.

His project involved resetting headstones at the Union Cemetery in Mifflintown, as well as rethreading veteran flag holder posts and painting garage doors on the utility shed at the site.

This project was important to Parker because he had planned to join the Army after graduating high school in 2018. He passed his MEPS and enrolled as of his 18th birthday. Like his Eagle Scout project, his graduation has been put on hold. Parker missed all the remainder of his senior year. Because of the trauma he experienced, he becomes tired easily and is currently attending classes at EJHS three hours a day. He is expected to graduate in 2021.

Parker had moved from Geisinger Medical Center to a rehabilitative unit at Hershey Medical Center.

“They were great there,” Hunter said.

A few months ago, Parker was moved to Brookline Manor in Mifflintown, where he now temporarily resides. He is in wheelchair and requires help with most day to day functions.

Hunter said his understanding of conversations is not what it used to be and he gets overwhelmed in large groups.

Hunter sat with Parker in February 2018 for his Board of Review portion for the Eagle Scout Award. It was an unusual process since judges like to ask challenging questions and try to “trip up” the scout to see if he knows details about his project.

This method was not done with Parker because of his traumatic brain injury.

“They didn’t know how to do it,” Hunter said, but allowed Hunter to sit on one side of him and his scoutmaster, Earl Davis, to sit on his other side inside a room at the rehab unit in Hershey.

His answers were short and sometimes he would simply say he did not know the answer.

A few details, however, remained intact in Parker’s mind despite the injury.

“They asked him how many stones were underground,” Hunter said, and he was able to answer, “78!” Both Hunter and Davis were amazed he remembered the number. Davis said he also remembered there were 27 stones erected.

Davis said the interview was difficult, but he commends those on the Board of Review for working with the circumstances.

However, those numbers were all Parker could recall.

After the interview process was completed, Hunter was repeatedly asked when a ceremony could be held.

The family waited until Parker’s nine months of rehab were finished in Hershey to make a decision.

“We decided to choose spring because he doesn’t do well in the cold,” Hunter said.

Mornings are better for him too. He attends school during the first half of the day and then requires sleep in the afternoon when he is transported back to Brookline.

“His brain just gets so tired out,” Hunter said.

Family, friends, scouts and dignitaries were on hand to honor Parker at the traditional ceremony on April 20.

Hunter would point out individuals to her son to see if he remembered them. In many cases, he would only smile.

His mom said she knows he does not comprehend nearly as much as he once had. But she is always happy to see him smile.

“He’s been on quite a journey,” Davis said. “He’s a good boy.”

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